The Innsbruck Clinic has good news! Since 2021, premature babies have been able to remain attached to the umbilical cord for at least six minutes after a cesarean section using a special first aid unit. The previous week, this gentle initial care was achieved after a spontaneous birth.
Until a few years ago, if a premature baby was born, the baby was immediately taken to the neonatology intensive care unit for stabilization and care without physical contact with the parents. This has been different for three years: premature babies born between the 26th and 34th week of pregnancy at the Innsbruck University Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics can remain connected to their mother for at least six minutes after a cesarean section using a special first aid unit – namely via the umbilical cord. “This has an enormous advantage” “From a purely medical point of view, it has an enormous advantage for the baby’s circulation if it remains connected to the mother via the umbilical cord until the vital signs have stabilized,” explains Ursula Kiechl-Kohlendorfer, clinic director of neonatology in Innsbruck. The risk of a brain hemorrhage is also demonstrably reduced. “Physical contact with the baby can be established in this way.” But it’s not just the medical benefits that are evident. “Although the children are premature babies, the parents can already establish physical contact with the baby during the initial stabilization and care at the first aid unit. “You can massage the little feet, dad can cut the umbilical cord,” says Elke Griesmaier-Falkner, deputy head of neonatology. An emotional added value that can at least partially alleviate the stress and anxiety in the first minutes after birth.
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